@bfahopeful - I believe @complacent was asking for the future (since posted same question on 2021 thread) and as we all know- there is a LONG road between interest (“which school…”) and acceptance 
I answered much the same way you did on the other thread - it depends on what you are looking for in a college experience. Both are incredible
So a very tough final decision has been made in our household (will share later)…I know I vacillate between excitement and doubts… I’m wondering when the “buyer’s remorse” and “what ifs” will subside? Never? Sometime during sophomore year??? Gah!!!
ditto @WTXMom
@WTXMom We’re very close to a decision and I’m feeling exactly the same way!
I was full of doubts for most of the summer following our decision, but the minute my S arrived on campus it was clear that was where he was supposed to be.
Not there yet. Down to 3. D is on a bus by herself across Pennsylvania for one final (?) visit to observe classes etc… Still waiting for results on a financial aid appeal from another school. We are stressed to the max and so consumed by the decision that I hadn’t started thinking too much about post-decision second guessing. Yikes!
Thanks @toowonderful I didn’t understand this was a what if question. In that case, apply to both along with many others and hope for the best!
@bfahopeful @Calliene @sbc @toowonderful @mtmamma2020
Thank you all!! I have only six days to decide which one to attend and I am still so uncertain.
Yes, MT is the plan, but still not sure if I need that double major/regarded university (NU), if the MT plan goes awry down the line. Not sure which has better industry connections. CMU clearly has many working, but NU seems to have their artists in castings, directing etc as well.
Anyone know if the Northwestern kids work? Or do they mostly pursue writing, design etc? Thank you!!
@complacent two great choices! They seem like two very different schools. As I recall at CMU it’s more training based and there are not as many performance opportunities until you are a.junior or senior. Can’t wait to hear your decision .
@complacent, yes NU kids work in theatre. A friend’s son graduated from NU and is working in NY (and on tours). And @MomCares’ D works consistently, too. But they are VERY different (yet both excellent) programs. So it would be very hard for anyone here to help you decide, b/c we don’t know you. One thing you need to keep in mind about NU is that you are not guaranteed a slot in their MT program when you enter as a freshman. I do know people who did not make it in and were unhappy. CMU is one of the best MT programs in the country…if MT is really “the plan” for you, I cannot imagine why you wouldn’t go there. But it is a conservatory. If you crave a full liberal arts education, then go to NU. If you were my child, I would urge you to go to CMU if MT is your true love. If MT is really truly what you want to do, and you cannot think of being happy doing anything else, go to CMU. If you eventually need a Plan B, you’ll cross that bridge when you get there. And you will do it with a BFA from a very well-respected university. If you love MT but could be deliriously happy doing other things, go to NU. (This is of course, MHO only) Good luck with your choice.
Many moons ago my H was a MT at CMU. After first semester sophomore year, be decided he no longer wanted MT. He became an economics and public policy major at CMU and graduated on time. H was a strong student and had also been accepted at Northwestern, too.
So a plan B could always be to transfer out of the MT program into another academic area at CMU, because it appears the OP’s child has strong grades.
Does nobody else question the idea that someone is 5 days away from May 1 and stuck on really generalized differences between two incredibly famous programs? As I posted earlier- I thought this was for next year. Pops a red flag for me- just saying.
I agree with what @monkey13 said. If you really want to be a MT artist. There is no question. Go to CMU.
Thanks guys. I’m leaning (very) slightly toward Northwestern (at least today, who knows tomorrow), but both my parents vote CMU. I guess my fears re NU are ‘Will I be competitive in the audition room after graduation?’ and ‘Will I suffer without the seemingly instant CMU connections?’ CMU seems to rob one slightly of the traditional college experience, but maybe that is worth it for the training? Both cost the same.
@toowonderful I wish I had a decision already, but it took the first half of the month to go from 17 programs to 2 :/. I wasn’t sure if next years thread would have more active responders since this year is beginning to wind up. Thanks guys for all your help.
@complacent, 17 offers? If so, that is amazing. Are you male or female? Voice type? Love to hear about your background/training.
If you have 17 offers I would venture to guess you would be competitive in the audition room after graduation.
@complacent that is incredible to get 17 offers! It sounds like you’re already on the right path. When you get in the audition room after graduation I don’t think it will matter if you went to NU or CMU. What will matter is do you fit what the casting director is looking for.
@complacent, maybe you can connect with @MomCares about Northwestern. I don’t think you have enough posts to PM someone, but maybe she can PM you. I’m not sure how the PM restrictions work. And hopefully you have connected on Facebook with students at both schools.
I recall mentions over the years of 1 or 2 folks who chose Harvard over Carnegie Mellon MT or Acting. Also, I believe that @MTDadandProud 's son chose Texas State over CMU last year, maybe in part because of a desire for a traditional college experience. Just because most people on this forum would choose CMU doesn’t mean that’s the best choice for you, especially if you want a traditional college experience. This forum is a small, self-selected group of parents of kids, and kids, who are very interested in pursuing an MT degree. The few kids I know of at CMU right now in MT or Acting did not have traditional high school experiences, and I think they didn’t care at all that they weren’t getting that in college, either. I’m sure there are others there that wrestled with this same issue, though.
Ultimately, your career path will be what YOU make it to be. You seem to have the raw talent, etc., to make it in this business, or you would not have been accepted at these schools. As evidenced by the many “where they went to school” lists based on Playbills, highly successful working performers come from all over. I think you are right to focus on what your experience will be for 4 years in college, and not solely on how “easy” the transition from college to career might be (although certainly that’s a consideration). That said, as mentioned above, if your chosen path ends up feeling wrong, you will likely be able to transfer or otherwise change course.
You are incredibly lucky (and no doubt talented and hard working) to have this choice, and I can see why it’s really difficult. Both are excellent options for the particular type of education they offer. Whatever choice you make, really examine and own your reasons, so that you minimize the chance of deep regret later.
@complacent – are you a HS senior deciding between CMU and Northwestern, or a High School Junior thinking about schools to apply to for the 2021 cycle?
@katMT,… or someone pulling our collective leg